The 56th CMA Awards: Remembering Some Of The Greats
Written by Adam Pearson on November 16, 2022
For the 59th time, the biggest names in country music came together for the annual Country Music Association Awards. The night was full of performances, skits, and most notably the awards themselves. Some of the biggest awards of the ceremony include “Entertainer of the Year” and “Album of the Year.” Other awards include “Best New Artist” and “Best Female/Male Vocalist.” There’s plenty of content to go over, so without further ado, let’s recapture the biggest moments of the night!
The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Over the past century of country music’s popularity, many artists have taken the stage but very few have left the impact of the ones that received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement award. However, legends such as the inaugural Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash have been honored with the award in its ten year history. This year the Academy selected the two time Grammy winner and 15 time CMA winner, Alan Jackson.
The memories associated with Jackson’s discography go back decades and now generations with songs including “Chattahoochee,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” As the youngest recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, his legacy did not go unnoticed. Jackson was met on stage by Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Jon Pardi, and Lainey Wilson as the celebration of his contributions to the genre were showcased. In his acceptance speech, Alan Jackson made it very clear that he would not be where he was without the people before him, but most importantly without his wife of 42 years.
Watch the Alan Jackson Tribute Below:
Acknowledgments of the Night
Every year, at every award ceremony, there comes a time to acknowledge the losses in the field that previous year. Though there were multiple losses this year in country music, one of the pioneers of women in country, Loretta Lynn, recently passed away. The CMA’s quickly put together a performance in her honor that aired first, before any of the awards or celebrations began. As the 14 time CMA winner and highest awarded woman at the CMA’s, Lynn received the performance of a lifetime in her memory, and that’s what she achieved. Female country music icons Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Miranda Lambert performed an unforgettable opening ceremony – all in memory of the beloved Loretta Lynn.
Watch the Performance in Honor of Loretta Lynn below:
Awards of the Night
It wouldn’t be an Award show without the awards. Many artists took away the most sought over awards in country music, but the biggest winner walked away with 2 of the biggest categories. Luke Combs swept the night taking Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year for “Growin’ Up.” Lainey Wilson took both the Best Female Vocalist and Best New Artist categories in her first CMA appearance. Chris Stapleton earned his 10th CMA award for Best Male Vocalist while Old Dominion earned their 5th award for Best Vocal Group of the Year. Song of the Year was awarded to “Buy Dirt” by Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins.
In all, the night was a huge success. Winner or not, the genre celebrated the biggest night in country music just how it was meant to be, by singing and dancing to the greats!
Listen to the official CMA 2022 Playlist here:
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